This is a chance to win the Run Like a Girl book. Great idea for perhaps getting rid of books you won't read again and also for getting people to read my blog!
http://23imaginaryfriends.blogspot.com/2011/08/run-like-girl-book-review-and-giveaway.html
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Last Day of the Month
Well, here it is again, the last day of the month. The months are just flying by. Usually, on the last day, I try to do something I have never done before or go somewhere I have never been. It is like the field trip I took last Friday to the Greek church. I already have my
all picked out so today must be something different...make something? create something? visit something? Y'all will have to check in tomorrow to see what I came up with.
Other news- the running seems to be going well. Got my 4 in yesterday and 6 in this morning (1 more mile walking). I got to see a friend who I haven't had the opportunity to visit with for almost a month. When she asked if I wanted to run with her this morning at 5:30 I jumped at the chance. Early, but I know me, set the alarm for 4:55 and woke up at 4:50. We met at the local YMCA and headed out. Reminded me of my early morning runs with ladies back in Maine. She tweaked her calf/Achilles though with about a mile to go- hence the walk at the end. I do hope she is ok. We are both training for the Savannah Marathon- and it finally sold out! 23,000 folks crazy enough to pay a chunk of change to run! Amazing!
Field Trip Friday
all picked out so today must be something different...make something? create something? visit something? Y'all will have to check in tomorrow to see what I came up with.
Other news- the running seems to be going well. Got my 4 in yesterday and 6 in this morning (1 more mile walking). I got to see a friend who I haven't had the opportunity to visit with for almost a month. When she asked if I wanted to run with her this morning at 5:30 I jumped at the chance. Early, but I know me, set the alarm for 4:55 and woke up at 4:50. We met at the local YMCA and headed out. Reminded me of my early morning runs with ladies back in Maine. She tweaked her calf/Achilles though with about a mile to go- hence the walk at the end. I do hope she is ok. We are both training for the Savannah Marathon- and it finally sold out! 23,000 folks crazy enough to pay a chunk of change to run! Amazing!
Monday, August 29, 2011
15 Miler- check
Ok ,so let's just say that it finally happened! I finally had that one good run that mentally I needed! Woot! Woot!
I have been thinking that if I could change something that the runs would get better. What are those items in my control?
1- weight
Drop that 10 pounds that accumulated this past year. Perhaps, no, definitely that had made me feel more sluggish. In my control? Yes, the doctor said after finding that thyroid and blood tests are excellent. So, I decided on the South Beach Diet and have lost 6-8 pounds. Feeling much better. Didn't really change the way I was feeling when running though.
2- sneakers
Time to change sneakers or go more minimalist or change brands? Lots to read about and think about. I wear orthotics too so I have thought I should be careful with these decisions. I had been running in Saucony Hurricanes and had no problems. Then won a pair of Brooks from the New Orleans Marathon and have been running in those. Again, good sneaks, but not much different from the Sauconys. So why not? try something new. I bought some Nike Frees for shorter distance runs and some Nike Pegasus (not stability and not top of the line) sneakers for the longer runs. Time will tell I guess. Anyway, feet and legs feel fine. Again, not seeing much difference in my runs.
3- training
Using Hal Higdon's 4 day a week Novice 2 training program. For the last 3 marathons I had upped the days and mileage (6 days a week- running two 22 mile training runs) but Achilles trouble started in again and so I decided to back off and cross train. Not a great start though as I had only run 6 days in July! Ugh! However, I have run the past 7 training runs so perhaps back on track. Not sure about how my time will be for this Marathon, but with each marathon I am perhaps refining for me individually.
So, with all those items being in my control, why was I still not running like in the past!? It had become frustrating to say the least. I would start out feeling good and then wham! I was done and nothing I could say to myself seemed to be working. All the tricks and mantras were doing me no good.
Deep down I know I am a cold weather runner and that the heat and humidity of the south is about killing my running, but I still am amazed at how much it wipes me out.
Yesterday, forecasts were for lower humidity and at least a start of 70 so here we go again, heading out for 15 miles. Running good and relaxed but knowing in the back of my mind that at any moment I could be done, wanting to walk. Well, that time didn't come yesterday and I was overjoyed that I could enjoy, yes, enjoy a long 15 mile run. Some might ask, How can you enjoy a run that long? Well, there is just something about them that I like. Some mornings it is the birds I hear or the sun breaking through, thinking of all those people still in bed who can't enjoy this part of the day. Sometimes it is going on a new route or seeing something new on a road that you never noticed before, perhaps because of sailing by in the car. It is also that feeling afterwards, that your body has had a great work out and now it can relax for a bit.
Will I ever run a 50 miler? Perhaps.... Never say never
I have been thinking that if I could change something that the runs would get better. What are those items in my control?
1- weight
Drop that 10 pounds that accumulated this past year. Perhaps, no, definitely that had made me feel more sluggish. In my control? Yes, the doctor said after finding that thyroid and blood tests are excellent. So, I decided on the South Beach Diet and have lost 6-8 pounds. Feeling much better. Didn't really change the way I was feeling when running though.
2- sneakers
Time to change sneakers or go more minimalist or change brands? Lots to read about and think about. I wear orthotics too so I have thought I should be careful with these decisions. I had been running in Saucony Hurricanes and had no problems. Then won a pair of Brooks from the New Orleans Marathon and have been running in those. Again, good sneaks, but not much different from the Sauconys. So why not? try something new. I bought some Nike Frees for shorter distance runs and some Nike Pegasus (not stability and not top of the line) sneakers for the longer runs. Time will tell I guess. Anyway, feet and legs feel fine. Again, not seeing much difference in my runs.
3- training
Using Hal Higdon's 4 day a week Novice 2 training program. For the last 3 marathons I had upped the days and mileage (6 days a week- running two 22 mile training runs) but Achilles trouble started in again and so I decided to back off and cross train. Not a great start though as I had only run 6 days in July! Ugh! However, I have run the past 7 training runs so perhaps back on track. Not sure about how my time will be for this Marathon, but with each marathon I am perhaps refining for me individually.
So, with all those items being in my control, why was I still not running like in the past!? It had become frustrating to say the least. I would start out feeling good and then wham! I was done and nothing I could say to myself seemed to be working. All the tricks and mantras were doing me no good.
Deep down I know I am a cold weather runner and that the heat and humidity of the south is about killing my running, but I still am amazed at how much it wipes me out.
Yesterday, forecasts were for lower humidity and at least a start of 70 so here we go again, heading out for 15 miles. Running good and relaxed but knowing in the back of my mind that at any moment I could be done, wanting to walk. Well, that time didn't come yesterday and I was overjoyed that I could enjoy, yes, enjoy a long 15 mile run. Some might ask, How can you enjoy a run that long? Well, there is just something about them that I like. Some mornings it is the birds I hear or the sun breaking through, thinking of all those people still in bed who can't enjoy this part of the day. Sometimes it is going on a new route or seeing something new on a road that you never noticed before, perhaps because of sailing by in the car. It is also that feeling afterwards, that your body has had a great work out and now it can relax for a bit.
Will I ever run a 50 miler? Perhaps.... Never say never
Friday, August 26, 2011
Field Trip
Ok, so I know I was supposed to add pictures from the Maine Summer Adventure! But...just thinking about taking some pictures of the Greek Church down the road with the sun coming up. Wouldn't that be just fabulous?!
Does that mean that I ought to get dressed or just wear my pj's- hmmm not a long wait for an answer to that one. After all, I do live in the South now y'all, where one cannot go out without getting dressed including teeth brushed, hair and make up done, etc. Hope the sun waits and I get good photos!
Ok, so I get there and it opens to the public at 9am so I am officially an hour early. I take some pictures anyway and then hopefully I will go back so I can see inside as well.
I especially liked this one as you can see the sun glinting off the stained glass windows.
The next couple are close ups of mosaics and door frame work.
The next one is also one of my favorites.
Does that mean that I ought to get dressed or just wear my pj's- hmmm not a long wait for an answer to that one. After all, I do live in the South now y'all, where one cannot go out without getting dressed including teeth brushed, hair and make up done, etc. Hope the sun waits and I get good photos!
Ok, so I get there and it opens to the public at 9am so I am officially an hour early. I take some pictures anyway and then hopefully I will go back so I can see inside as well.
Isn't this beautiful!!
The next couple are close ups of mosaics and door frame work.
The next one is also one of my favorites.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Agendas and To Do Lists
Well this will just be a short blog post about becoming more efficient, or not as the case may be! Always seems to be items on my To Do List! Some manage to stay there for days or weeks. Notice they are the ones that I really don't want to do. Right now I have some that are just agenda items for today- get to USA to meet Sarah, play tennis at MTC @ 6:00. Obviously, these are necessary places I need to get to and so I guess they are To Do items. Then I would like to go to Luci-May's today and use my Living Social coupon. Could go in between the above mentioned items. Then there are things I need to bring to Mobile:
tennis items (most important being sneakers, racket, outfit and water)
books to return to USA bookstore for $ (hopefully lots)
Monster drinks for Sarah -that she forgot here on the counter this morning
Then there are always things Bruce would like me to look into or "do" as a big favor to him. Today it happens to be to find out what the going refinancing rates are at RBC bank. Of course, the lawn did get mowed and OFF my list yesterday.
Other mscl items I would like to do- run, take another Spanish lesson, read a couple chapters of my latest read, marinade chicken for tonight, kill the fire ants outside near the front doorstep, pay some bills, find a date to paddleboard and take a trip inland for some hiking.
So, knowing all those things won't get done!!!! hmmmm write a blog post about them and then choose a few I guess. Don't procrastinate on getting items ready for Mobile though and really should hit the bank!
Promise to add Maine pictures from the summer 2011 trip tomorrow!!!!! It's on the list!
tennis items (most important being sneakers, racket, outfit and water)
books to return to USA bookstore for $ (hopefully lots)
Monster drinks for Sarah -that she forgot here on the counter this morning
Then there are always things Bruce would like me to look into or "do" as a big favor to him. Today it happens to be to find out what the going refinancing rates are at RBC bank. Of course, the lawn did get mowed and OFF my list yesterday.
Other mscl items I would like to do- run, take another Spanish lesson, read a couple chapters of my latest read, marinade chicken for tonight, kill the fire ants outside near the front doorstep, pay some bills, find a date to paddleboard and take a trip inland for some hiking.
So, knowing all those things won't get done!!!! hmmmm write a blog post about them and then choose a few I guess. Don't procrastinate on getting items ready for Mobile though and really should hit the bank!
Promise to add Maine pictures from the summer 2011 trip tomorrow!!!!! It's on the list!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Very Long Week!!!
Ok, so this week has been so long. I worked Mon-Wed and played tennis in Mobile Monday and Tuesday evenings. Then Sarah started driving back to Bama from Maine on Wed. Thursday morning got the call that the car was having problems.
Anyway, many hours later she goes back to my sister-in-laws minus a dead car to pack what she can into 2 suitcases to be flown down. Flight not until Friday now. Friday, the flight was delayed and then canceled because of high winds so now she is flying into Gulfport this afternoon. I know she just wants to sleep in her own bed tonight!!!
Anyway, many hours later she goes back to my sister-in-laws minus a dead car to pack what she can into 2 suitcases to be flown down. Flight not until Friday now. Friday, the flight was delayed and then canceled because of high winds so now she is flying into Gulfport this afternoon. I know she just wants to sleep in her own bed tonight!!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Tumblr, Podcasts, etc.
Ok, so why have tumblr and what would it add to my life? I actually started to add this and ran into a snag-how to sign up for one? and is it another thing like FB and G+? or do I create a blog? That is what it sounded like since it asked for a URL.
Also signed up for some free podcasts in iTunes that I think will be helpful! IPadToday (even though I do not have the IPad-Bruce does) and an NPR Technology Podcast. My goal here will be to download it to my IPod and then listen to it in the car when I am driving.
Enough for this morning though! I need to get outside and start enjoying the day! Perhaps a bkie ride at the shore?! Anyone want to join me? You know how to reach me I hope!
Also signed up for some free podcasts in iTunes that I think will be helpful! IPadToday (even though I do not have the IPad-Bruce does) and an NPR Technology Podcast. My goal here will be to download it to my IPod and then listen to it in the car when I am driving.
Enough for this morning though! I need to get outside and start enjoying the day! Perhaps a bkie ride at the shore?! Anyone want to join me? You know how to reach me I hope!
New Technologies and Posting More Regularly!!!
Ok, so I have just attended a social media conference and heard about the relevance of twitter (again) and also learned about G+. This was on Friday and now, Sunday, I am plowing full steam ahead into upgrading my techno world!
Got a G+ account and playing with that a bit! Found Sarah Sutter on there as I knew I would!!!! since she is always current with all new technologies. Goal one: get more used to the format and what is available and add some contacts.
Added Tweet Deck to my mobile phone and added more people to follow. Goal two: Look at the streams at least 3 times a day.
Blogs and Blogging
Goal three: read more of the blogs that I subscribe to and write regularly on the own I author! Now to define regularly.....let's start out with 3 posts a week and see how that goes.
Got a G+ account and playing with that a bit! Found Sarah Sutter on there as I knew I would!!!! since she is always current with all new technologies. Goal one: get more used to the format and what is available and add some contacts.
Added Tweet Deck to my mobile phone and added more people to follow. Goal two: Look at the streams at least 3 times a day.
Blogs and Blogging
Goal three: read more of the blogs that I subscribe to and write regularly on the own I author! Now to define regularly.....let's start out with 3 posts a week and see how that goes.
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